Lifestyle

As a Bellingham native, professional painter Ben Mann has spent much of his life capturing the whimsy of the Pacific Northwest. His paintings are bold with color, yet soft with their overall simplicity. It is hard to imagine the toughest art critic not breaking a smile after taking in one of Mann’s pieces. “I just want to lift people up with my work,” Mann said. After growing up in Bellingham, Mann made his way to San Francisco to study illustration…

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Cider House Rules?

Bellingham Cider Company In a region dominated by local beers of all kinds, Bellingham Cider Company boldly enters on the leading edge of a brewing renaissance. The restaurant, set to open in February at 205 Prospect St., is nestled next door to Sylvia Center of the Arts and near the Whatcom Museum, where it will enjoy the bustle of Prospect Street and a pleasant patio view of Bellingham’s…

Protecting the Treasure of Whatcom County

Whatcom Land Trust From the North Cascade mountains to the Salish Sea, the committed members of the Whatcom Land Trust have made it their mission to protect the diverse land that draws people to Whatcom County. For many of Whatcom County’s residents, it is…

All-Ages Entertainment Downtown

The Ruckus Room Arcade and Fun Center Looking to provide an all-ages space downtown for Bellingham’s under-21 crowd, Collin Topolski and Emmalyn Smith opened the Ruckus Room Arcade and Fun Center in August of 2017. The co-owners designed the space with the basements and…

Five Faves: Women’s History Month

HIDDEN FIGURES (2016) Discover the true story of three brilliant African-American female mathematicians—Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson—who played a crucial role in the U. S.’s space race against…

Yes in a Dress- Nuu-Muu

Athletic leisure wear is all the rage, but what about a functional athletic garment that looks as pretty as your non-athletic garments? What about telling your daughter she can play basketball in a dress? What about getting dirty without sacrificing style? Enter Nuu-Muu, the Bellingham-based company that designs athletic dresses. The company has garnered quite a following of hard-core fans they call Teamsters, and believes women can do anything in…

Pacific Northwest Whimsy

As a Bellingham native, professional painter Ben Mann has spent much of his life capturing the whimsy of the Pacific Northwest. His paintings are bold with color, yet soft with their overall simplicity. It is hard to imagine the…

Washington’s Olympic Roots Embedded in Slopes of Mount Rainier

Lasting Image

What is your favorite thing to take pictures of? Having lived in Whatcom County for 46 years, I’ve seen some beautiful scenery here that still amazes me each time I visit that location. Yearning to cherish these wonderful places led my interests toward the arena of photography. Capturing that special moment in time with a photograph means something to me. “Imagery is all about creating an emotional sensation in the eye of the…

Western Washington student Breezy Johnson Named to Olympic Team and Goes on a Tear

Sustainable Connections Means (Local) Business

Derek Long grew up in a one-stoplight town in Ohio before pursuing a career in business and economics. Much like the Pacific Northwest, Long’s hometown barely saw the sun. However, it wasn’t until after earning his degree from the University of Toledo and traveling around the world for more than a year that Long accidentally ended up in Whatcom County. Like…

Banking on Two Wheels

Bellingham’s New Pump Track Is a Hit With just a push or two of a pedal, riders weave up, down and around, gathering speed and harnessing it to tackle the next turn or incline. On Bellingham’s very first pump track, inertia is the name of the game, one that can be played by both four year-olds and Olympians. A pump track is essentially a bike track sculpted from the earth, consisting of dips, rises and…

Alaskan Odysseys

Women in Fishing Find Their Passions, Help Others: Comprising a small group in a large and unforgiving industry that is Alaskan fishing, women persevere through extreme conditions, long hours, little sleep, and little to no contact with the outside world. But they keep returning, summer after summer, to catch what can’t be found on the mainland, something that’s a little different depending on who you’re asking. Three North Sound-based women…

Fifty Shades of Purple

I grew up with two brothers in rural upstate New York, so I get that the opposite sex often considers their bodies to be toys or musical instruments to be played. Apparently, male infatuation with flatulation is genetic. My young son, Tyler, is a candidate for first chair in the Mt. Baker Youth Symphony’s horn section, and yet I debarked his father, my ex-husband, years ago before Tyler was born. How is that possible? Where am I…

From 3-D Printers to gene therapies, medicine is changing like never before

On the hunt for Totality

Photographer and Friends Find Magic and an Eerie Light During Solar Eclipse The tent flaps are pushed aside and a cold breeze greets my nose, I know that today is the day. With excitement in the air, I quietly rouse my camp, making sure to tread lightly, as it is only 5:30 in the morning. As our stoves are fired up and water is boiled,…

Bringing Soothing Sounds of Song to the Dying

Threshold Singers Since 2007, the Bellingham Threshold Singers have been providing soothing sounds for people who are seriously ill or dying. These 40 or so women are committed to providing comfort for their clients as they labor through death with the help of song. Last year, the dedicated group performed more than 500 “sings” for clients in Whatcom County, six-year member Janis Walworth said. Each “sing” lasts about 15-20 minutes and usually only…

Award-Winning Infant Care In Anacortes

Island Hospital Center for Maternal & Infant Care An Anacortes care center is one of just 13 winners of an international award for promoting healthy and successful breastfeeding practices. The Island Hospital Center for Maternal & Infant Care in Anacortes earned…

Program is Getting People Outside for Their Health

Recreation NW Parkscriptions Bellingham public health and medical professionals increasingly want you to take a walk in the woods — or even just around the block. It’s all part of a national program called Parkscriptions, or ParkRx. It is a national program, based in Washington D.C., aimed at encouraging community mental and physical health…

Information Technology Degree Boosts Whatcom Community College

Whatcom Community College is already making a name for itself as a place to be trained in the rising field of cyber security. Now it has taken another step — offering a four-year degree in cutting-edge information technology. Last fall, Whatcom CC offered…

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Taste Sensation

Why do some things taste better together than others? The tongue, for all its functional importance, is a largely misunderstood, multipurpose muscular organ. We use it to speak, mock others, whistle, and eat….

One-on-one Interview with Paula Poundstone

For a standup comedian, Paula Poundstone asks a lot of questions. She is quirky, inquisitive, and brilliant, all traits evident during her September show at Bellingham’s Mount Baker Theatre. She keeps a punishing touring schedule – she is booked for 35 shows in the first half of 2018 alone – and her routine is only partly one – about a third of what she does on stage is unscripted. While some comics play to the audience,…

A Parent’s Pain

Ken’s Hopes for Parents in Pain During the Holidays For the holidays, I decided to unwrap a personal wound to support divorced parents everywhere whose relationship with their children brings them a sadness that only parents can know. I have my share of emotional scar tissue from 60 years of life. I carry my pain well, I hope, after years of devotion to finding an emotionally healthy, insightful…

Comfy & Cozy Feature

White Snow Geese Enthrall, but Have a Dark Side

Drive through Skagit Valley’s fields from December through February and you’ll likely see hundreds of pristine white birds waddling about the muddy fields. Continue watching and you’ll see a magnificent sight when the flock suddenly takes flight and your field of vision looks like a fuzzy, snowy television screen. Martha Jordan, executive director of the Northwest Swan Conservation Association (NWSCA) explains the impressive display is thanks to a “flock mentality” and is a safeguard against impending danger. When snow geese…

Wonder Woman: Jen Gallant

Sharing the Bounty

Fidalgo Island & Guemes Gleaners Imagine being at the supermarket and overhearing this conversation between a mother and her son: “Mom, can we get some apples?” “No honey, they’re too expensive, maybe next week.” Head gleaner of the Fidalgo Island & Guemes Gleaners (FIGG), Sylvia Cooper, recounted that story as told by her friend. Thanks to the work of Cooper and FIGG, local community members have access to…

Current, Classic Video Games Fill a Niche

Best Buds Gaming Lounge As Hugh and Alexis Newmark manage their shop, a little brown package arrives. It has been sent from Germany, which could only mean one thing. Giddy with excitement, they carefully open it on the bar. It’s the European version of the classic video game Super Nintendo, with a…

Farm-to-Table Cheese

Ferndale Farmstead From “seed-to-cheese,” Ferndale Farmstead is conquering every step of making artisan Italian cheese, and it all happens on the Ferndale farm. The 680 cows that produce the milk for the cheese are all fed by crops grown on the Ferndale land. Twice a day, those same…

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Let Phoenix Desert and Sun Heat Up Your Winter

Escape the gray and head to sunny Arizona. Nestled in the urban core of the Grand Canyon state discover the bustling city of Greater Phoenix boasting more than 300 days of sunshine annually. And there’s no better time than now to come…

The Sad State of Guy Love

Ken Explores the Emotional Health of Male Relationships Affection toward other males does not come naturally to most men. We are conditioned from birth to show strength, typically physical strength, but most certainly to project strength of any type as a means to the ultimate end — that is, to establish a pecking order amongst ourselves. Who’s the best athlete, the smartest, the most successful, and most…

Direct Destinations Feature

Playing Games, Face to Face

Rook & Rogue Board Game Pub Something new has arrived in downtown Bellingham. It’s not a cafe, not a bar, nor is it a restaurant or gaming lounge. It’s all of those things combined. Rook & Rogue is a board game pub and restaurant, and has all the elements to make you feel at home. Rook & Rogue is family-owned. Danielle Rupinski and her mother, Pam, her sister, Laura, and partner, Shawn Blake, all play leadership…

Wonder Woman: There’s Always a Solution

Traveling Abroad Made Easy at Rick Steves’ Travel Center

At home in the chic, down-to-earth seaside village of Edmonds is the Travel Center for Rick Steves’ Europe. Approach the building from 4th Avenue, with its classic red brick exterior and sculptural stonework just off Main Street, and you’ll get a sneak peek of the exciting travel possibilities to come. Enter under the watchful gaze of gargoyles. Five steps beyond the cheerful “Open” flag clapping in the…

A Circus Story

I lived near Bellingham for 22 years before discovering there’s a circus in town. It’s aptly named Vaudevillingham and is put on by the Bellingham Circus Guild. Located just down the road from the hub of Fairhaven in a big warehouse, the circus puts on a show the 15th of every month. The event is a variety, kind of anything-goes, circusstyle experience. Each act is supposed to be new and original. It’s a place for jugglers, poets, acrobats,…

A Weekend of Films

Friday Harbor Film Festival Between 1,400 and 1,500 people are expected to attend the Friday Harbor Film Festival’s fifth annual documentary film festival November 3–5. Festival organizers Lynn Danaher and Karen Palmer founded the festival with an intention to share documentary films that tell relevant stories and encourage positive change. Danaher and Palmer run the festival with four pillars in mind: to entertain, inspire, enlighten, and encourage….

More than Meals, an Italian Lifestyle

Ciaò Thyme Ciaò Thyme will take your breath away before you’ve even had your first bite. This “lifestyle brand,” as co-owner Jessica Gillis called it, houses a catering business, lunch time café, event space, cooking classes, take-home prepared frozen meals, and a dinner series. What a mouthful. And, to top it off, the husband-wife team, Jessica and Mataio Gillis, fill every…

Exploring the Human Condition Through Art

Bellingham has its artistic success stories (Death Cab for Cutie, comedian Ryan Stiles), but it also has its grassroots luminaries. Author, poet, and radio producer Shannon Laws is one. She has the privilege of not only being one of many talented Bellingham artists, but possesses a passion for supporting the local art community. Since beginning her writing career in 2009, she has expanded her reach to radio…

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Best of the Northwest 2017

Roundabout is Fair Play

Ken takes a Sunday drive back to his future Once upon a time—back when the wheel had just been invented but not yet patented—I used to worry only about the rare road rage incident with a local farmer and his John Deere tractor when I drove in our local counties. Life…

Whimsical Driftwood Sculptures

Small Brewery, Large Taste

Atwood Ales With a yank, the doors of the old barn are pulled open, revealing a network of interconnected piping, flashing lights and chromed steel woven between ancient boards. With only two barrels of small-batch brew coming from the century-old barn turned brew-station, Atwood Ales’ beer is too compelling to overlook, even in the North Sound’s suds-saturated craft beer market. Trading quantity for quality and larger depths in flavor, Atwood Ales places small batch Saison- and Bier De Gardestyle beer…

Helping Kids in Need

Ray and Keely Deck, Skookum House Upstairs are rooms bathed in natural light from the windows, complete with colorfully quilted beds and bins of every sort of toy from soft dolls to plastic trucks. Downstairs is a welcoming kitchen table,…

Farms Tour: Cows. Alpacas. Sea Urchins?

Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms If you’ve ever wondered just how does that food get from farm to table, or if you simply want to channel your inner Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Oct. 7 and 8 Skagit…

Cable Show Highlights Community Doers

For the last 2 ½ years, Marie Marchand has done her part to raise up voices from the greater Bellingham community. As host and co-producer of BTV’s Bellingham Voices, a show aired on the city’s public-access station, Marchand’s mission is to grow her audience’s appreciation for Bellingham local government, nonprofits, and community leadership. While Marchand envisioned the show to spotlight city council members wanting to discuss their opinions, goals, and legislation, Bellingham Voices now encompasses all…

Romancing the Whine

A Guy’s Viticulture Guide to Relationships I am either fearless or foolish because I habitually connect dots for the sake of humor, like the parallels between romance and wine, that should never be connected in public. This issue’s feature article on wine inspired me yet again — my pencil is out and ready. Despite the threat of grave bodily injury, I just can’t help…

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B.C. Wine Tour Feature

Living Intentionally and Collaboratively

Bellingham Cohousing Coffee hour starts at 10 a.m. each morning. Residents sit quietly in the common house and drink their coffee while catching up with neighbors. Six acres of land was bought in 1997 and three years later, the first family moved into their unit and Bellingham Cohousing was born. Gail Kirgis and her husband, Tom Cornwall, have been living in Bellingham Cohousing for four years. Thirty-three units, with two to four bedrooms,…

An Artful Approach to Storytelling

Quirky Play About The Pig War Comes to Life

Only some people are aware of the major dispute between Great Britain and the United States over who had rightful ownership of the San Juan Islands, referred to as The Pig War. The mid-1800s conflict never actually resulted in physical combat, but was instead resolved diplomatically. It is quite likely that just a handful of people know that in the 1960s Emilia Bave created a play to commemorate the peaceful negotiation. Due to a lack of…

The Wilderness in Our Backyard

North Cascades Institute While pursuing his graduate degree in biology at Western Washington University Saul Weisberg worked as a climbing ranger in the North Cascades National Park. As a ranger, Weisberg discovered the beauty of the park so many were still unaware of. In 1986,…

Celebrating the Sea

Bellingham SeaFeast Festival After a successful maiden voyage in 2016, SeaFeast is returning to Bellingham September 22 and 23 for two days of games, live music, and of course, good eats. The festival celebrates the history and tastes of the Salish Sea, and admission is free. The feasting begins Friday with a…

Wonder Woman

Kathie Wilson When Bellingham’s Childlife Montessori School opens the doors to its final year this month, Kathie Wilson will begin her 41st year of teaching. Her career in education has come full circle, beginning and ending in Bellingham. After attending Western Washington University, she moved to Seattle and discovered the Montessori Method of education and was quickly certified. To Wilson, the Montessori classroom style is respectful and insightful, offering children a more individualized education…

Bellingham Technical College Turns 60

With career-oriented courses and connections to local industries, Bellingham Technical College has established a considerable foothold among Bellingham’s institutions of higher learning that include Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College. This year, BTC has even more to celebrate: its 60th anniversary, and a reputation for helping students land employment after graduation — no small task in an economy where debt-ridden college graduates can languish for years…

Cannabis Features

More Than You Can Chew

Did you have breakfast today? How about lunch? Maybe a little snack before dinner? For as long as I can remember, the expectation has always been that you have to eat a “hearty breakfast” to start your day, followed by a light lunch…

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Going Boutique in Seattle

The Edgewater Hotel If you are looking to pamper yourself in Seattle and want a truly Pacific Northwest experience, the historic Edgewater Hotel is the perfect boutique alternative to Seattle’s predictable national chains….

A Bigger Slice of the Pie

Play on Wheels

Western Washington University Summer Theatre With the vast amount of outdoor activities available to Pacific Northwest residents in summer, theater-going is rarely at the top of the list. From hiking to…

Pickin’ Washington’s Bluest Jewels

A Family Farm for Everyone

Cloud Mountain Farm Center Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, apples, pears, peaches, pumpkins, and so many more types of produce cover the 20 acres of farmland known as Cloud Mountain Farm Center. Cheryl and Tom Thornton began their family farm in 1978 with commercial apple trees, garlic, and a nursery. In 2011, it transformed into a non-profit community farm designed to help farmers and gardeners learn. Cheryl Thornton…

Master Chef Opens Specialty Bakery

Opera Pastries and Coffee Those hungry for a taste of France have a new destination to try in downtown Bellingham. Opera, a French pastry and coffee shop, officially opened its doors on April 1. The bakery features an array of classic French pastries baked in-house daily. Opera’s display case is filled with traditional treats, like flaky golden croissants and layered opera cake, alongside more inventive creations, such as bright pink strawberry éclairs. To create each batch, chefs combine dough…

Wonder Woman

Barb Demorest Barbara Demorest’s story is one that begins with a diagnosis and leads to a ripple of hope for thousands, extending from her Bellingham community all the way to women of rural Uganda. In July of 2011, Demorest received the devastating call that a lump she had biopsied was indeed breast cancer. She would undergo a mastectomy and, due to complications, Demorest was…

Life on the Rooftop

The summer is when the best parts of Washington come out to play. There’s nothing quite like rooftop dining during the warmer months. Maybe it’s the skyline views or the general fancy ambiance. Maybe it’s the above-it-all feeling you get as you enjoy food and drink. Or maybe it’s because food…

No Dairy? No Problem

One of the greatest tragedies of being lactose intolerant is the inability to enjoy one of the best go-to foods there are—pizza. You can, of course, make your own recipes at home, but there’s nothing that quite compares with going out with friends, ordering a pitcher of beer and a…

Cats Rule, Dogs Drool

Ken, er, Garfield, Jr., goes off-leash to offer some catty remarks No disrespect to horses, rabbits, piglets, and other critters, but dogs, not you all, are my competition for household dominance. Dogs have had their day. It’s “our” turn. As…

Feline Fancy

On a small country road near Sedro-Woolley stands a humble building. Aside from the sign, it might be mistaken for a residence. Inside, however, is a luxurious getaway, with rooms that have nearly every amenity. For cats, that is. The Cat Nap Inn bills itself as a “bed and breakfast exclusively for cats.” But it’s more than that….

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Border Patrol Dogs

Just yards from the U.S.-Canadian border in Blaine, customs and border dog Greya, on a work break, can’t resist a strip of bush-shaded grass and does what dogs do — gets down to roll, wiggle and shimmy with her feet…

Special Tag For Pets Is A Great Find

If you’re a dog or cat owner, it’s likely you’ll experience — at least once — that eerie, then terrifying, feeling that something’s missing. Namely, your pet. Even more devastating is realizing your lost animal is dependent on medication, or has a condition that only few people know about. A new wearable technology for your adventurous little friend says it can eliminate much of this fear. MyEndlessID Pet is a tag small enough to fit on a collar, but…

Pet Memorial

Even before Bobbie Ruth Langley began her Life Cycle Pet Cremation service, she knew it wouldn’t be enough. “It’s incredibly valuable for people emotionally to memorialize their pet,” Langley said. So each fall for the past two years, Langley has held the Floating Lantern Pet Memorial, set for Sept. 10 this year at Bloedel Donovan Park. Pet owners grieving pets lost yesterday or years ago have the chance to write something or include…

NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center

A horse’s neigh sounds in the distance as Julia Bozzo emerges from her house. Bozzo has always loved horses, but when she came to Bellingham, she realized there wasn’t a riding center. So Bozzo started…

Heavenly Home

Whatcom Therapy Dogs

After Pat Holmes and Chris Monroe registered their therapy dogs, they wondered: Now what? That’s when they decided to start Whatcom Therapy Dogs. This program connects registered therapy dogs and their handlers with the community. People volunteer their dogs when they’re available to help. A therapy dog is different from a service dog because they provide affection…

Ducks: The New Chickens?

City dwellers can practice urban farming by keeping chickens in their backyards, but that’s not the only poultry option. Some people are now turning to ducks rather than chickens as their domesticated bird of…

Mr. Tasty the House Pig

Canine Concierge

It’s not easy being the official canine concierge of Hotel Bellwether. You’ve got to greet the guests with a happy face and a wagging tail. You’ve got to step up if they need help at the front desk. Sometimes you even need to get your paws dirty and chase…

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Dog Paddle

Pups rehabilitate in the pool Carrie Lane, owner of K9 Lap of Luxury, was first inspired by the powers of canine hydrotherapy at a pool in Fall City. Lane showed her bull mastiff and was looking for a low-impact way to condition him. While she said she wasn’t even sure if he could swim, after just a few sessions she realized the pool was just what he needed. As a…

Making Spaying and Neutering Accessible

Wonder Woman

Avielle Heath The film community in Bellingham is growing, and its success is in no small part thanks to Avielle Heath. She is a producer and organizer working in a chaotic creative world, making sure films see their day in the cinema. Heath started making films after taking an influential film production course at Fairhaven College. She started making short films…

The Measure Of A Man’s Life

Island with Bustle

San Juan County: San Juan Island Samantha Bryner moved to San Juan Island 44 years ago, and has worked in real estate for more than 30 of those. On her first ferry ride into Friday Harbor she remembers being taken aback by the island’s beauty. “Enchanted. I have to live here,” she remembers thinking. This tends to be a sentiment shared by many islanders. It’s an ideal island for people looking for a quieter, laid-back lifestyle, but still want…

Big Island, Small World

San Juan County: Orcas Island Orcas Island, known as the “Gem of the San Juans,” is the largest of the archipelago. It boasts the highest mountains on the islands, most of which are in Moran State Park; waterfalls, and numerous hamlets, with…

“Slo-Pez” Neighbors Revel in the Rural

San Juan County: Lopez Island When visitors come to Lopez Island, they feel like they’re part of the neighborhood. Known as the “Friendly Isle,” inhabitants wave to everyone they pass. Rumors claim the kind gesture isn’t actually about being friendly — it’s from…

Watching the Neighborhood Grow

Where the Forest Meets the Sea

Skagit County: Skyline Courtney Blackston and her family moved into the Skyline neighborhood a year and a half ago, and are happy to call it home. The Blackstons are a military family, and they fell in love with Anacortes for the school district, the downtown amenities, and the community feel. They instantly felt…

A Seafarer’s Dream

Skagit County: Shelter Bay Danny Hagen grew up in the Shelter Bay house that he now lives in with a family of his own — his wife, Nicole, and their two little ones, Kaysen and Duncan. The Hagens moved into the neighborhood in…

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Coal Mines of Bellingham

Bellingham’s neighborhoods have their own character, but some share a feature you can’t even see: a wide network of underground coal mine tunnels. Hundreds of miles of abandoned coal passageways honeycomb Bellingham’s depths, none bigger than the massive Bellingham Coal Mine beneath the Birchwood and Columbia neighborhoods. The mine, which operated…

A Place to Grow Together

Neighborhood Police

In November, a string of home break-ins put Bellingham residents on edge. The burglaries followed a pattern: multiple suspects breaking into homes, particularly on sunny days when residents were out. One neighborhood after another got hit. Christy Nieto, an 11-year…

2016 Best Of The Northwest Winners Announced

Up and Coming

Whatcom County: Sunnyland There’s no such thing as the perfect neighborhood. Everyone has different needs and desires. But for Tina and Kirby White, Sunnyland has it all. Sunnyland is where they live, work, and play. A few blocks away from their home is their restaurant, Homeskillet. It’s a breakfast and brunch place that has gained wild popularity, even outside its Sunnyland borders—Homeskillet is known as Sunnyland’s “worst-kept secret.” The Whites were looking for a restaurant within walking distance of…

31 Days of Giveaways Contest

A Stroller’s Paradise

Whatcom County: Lettered Streets With beer, ice cream, and Bellingham Bay just blocks away, the Lettered Streets neighborhood is one of Whatcom County’s most prized for location. Lisa Kaufman, Todd Eastman, and new four-legged companion Zeke have been enjoying their quaint Lettered Streets house and yard since 2003. It was Bellingham’s accessibility to the outdoors that brought them here, Kaufman said. The couple lived on Bellingham’s outskirts for…

A Place to Grow Up, Then Stay

Whatcom County: Cornwall Park Imagine a block of homes with blooming gardens and the street teeming with children, surrounded by a park. In the 1960s and 70s, this was Marilyn Mastor’s view from her home with her four children and husband. So many children lived in the neighborhood that the mailman at the time, who gave all the children Valentine’s with dimes in them, called the neighborhood “fertile valley.” Parents with same-age children held gatherings, and those…

A Throwback Era for Families

Semiahmoo is more than just a hot spot for retired couples and vacation homeowners. It’s a community for families. Len and Tara Saunders found their home in Turnberry Wood in 2004 after Len’s job led them to the U.S. from Canada. Tara is part of a three-generation family…

Actress Kayleigh Finnegan

New Possibilities, Same Vibe

The Hub Since 2002, the HUB Community Bike Shop has been catering to Bellingham’s cycle-friendly community. But now, after 15 years, the neighborhood looks very different. New apartment buildings surround the HUB’s location at 903 1/2 North…

Sustainable and Flavorful

Lummi Island Wild Lummi Island Wild is one of few fishing companies to practice the ancient and sustainable practice of salmon reef netting. Reef netting, used in the Pacific Northwest for thousands of years by Native Americans,…

Sounds of Summer Return

Elizabeth Park Summer Concert Series The Elizabeth Park Summer Concert Series will be bringing the groove to our summer nights once again starting on June 15. In partnership with the Eldridge Society and Bellingham Parks and Recreation, the free concerts have been a Bellingham summer staple for more than 20 years, said concert coordinator Marla…

Wonder Woman: Melissa Rice

The Curiosity rover has been treading the surface of Mars for more than five years with a team of NASA scientists watching its every move. Part of the elite team of scientists working it is Western Washington University professor Melissa Rice. Rice came onto the Mars Science Laboratory mission just before Curiosity landed. Curiosity’s nuclear…

Living for Ice and Dust

Mountain Science Prof Who Survived Crevasse Now Leads New Program at Western John All, the founding director of Western Washington University’s new Mountain Environments Research Institute (MERI), says the Cordillera Blanca mountains in Peru is one of the best mountain ranges in the world. “I always go…

Hosting a Houseguest with Style

It’s natural that, because we live in such a stunning place, friends from far and wide would want to visit. But you are past the days of clearing a spot on the floor for the futon or blowing up an inflatable bed for your guests. They are tired, weary…

Inner Beauty

won·der noun a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. It is with great wonder for the remarkable women in our community that has inspired our ongoing series, Wonder Woman, which profiles women who have made an…

Stylish Clothes Shopping from Home

Personalized Wardrobe Delivered to Your Door Used to be that if you needed a cocktail dress for a wedding, or a new suit for a job interview, you faced a trip to the mall or local boutique. Or you’d have to wade through countless websites with no idea about what…

Dog Fashion

5 Beauty Fixes for Northwest Weather

Like so many of you, it’s hard for me to imagine calling any other place than the Pacific Northwest my “home.” Its charm and beauty is hard to match, and the picturesque scenery is fulfilling in every sense of the word. But making yourself beautiful? Sometimes it can be a challenge. 1….

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Dressing for Northwest Weather

Workout Chic

Sweating with Style: What to Do and What to Have Sure, you love running or your 8 a.m. yoga class, but mixing up how you get your daily burn is a fun way to achieve a complete body transformation. Cross-training is in vogue and for good reason: changing up your workouts challenges different muscles in different ways and that helps you become stronger, leaner, and less tired. Afraid you’ll enter a workout unprepared? You have…

How to Redo Your Closet with Style

The Case for Porta Potties

Ken puts a few tongue-in-cheek suggestions in the Mt. Baker Theatre’s suggestion box When I attended the grand opening of the Mt. Baker Theatre in 1927, she was a thing of absolute beauty and the pride of the community—and she still is, perhaps even more so now….

Behaving with Style: Etiquette

It seems life has become a lot more casual, but that’s no excuse for forgetting your manners. Arden Clise of Seattle’s Clise Etiquette, an etiquette school specializing in business and children’s etiquette classes, agrees. Clise said so much communication is through digital means nowadays, the lack…

Grow Your Garden with Style

Backyard Entertaining

So you want to throw a stylish backyard party — something classier than a barbeque but not as fancy as a Gatsby bash. As founder of SKB Events (skbevent.com), Sarah Brand has seen her share of elegant outdoor shindigs in 11 years of producing domestic and international social functions. We asked Brand to give her advice on holding backyard parties in the North Sound’s great outdoors, some things to avoid and some tips we never would have thought of…

All Women, All In

Ski to Sea Team Advocates for Women―and a Mountain-Bike Leg Kirsten Jensen has been participating in the Ski to Sea relay race for four years as a part of an all-women’s team. But not just any women’s team. Many of its members are part of Queens of Dirt, a year-round mountain bike and cyclocross…

How To Decorate Your Home with Art

Lori Hill In the street markets of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, Lori Hill started intensely collecting art, and has been building her collection ever since. Hill, residing in a home in Bellingham with perfect views of Mt. Baker and Lake Whatcom, is a local artist who works mostly with oil paintings. Her work is on display in Banner Bank, the Art Market in Fairhaven, and in exhibits. “Art should be chosen because it speaks to you and stirs…

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Children’s Songwriter Dana Cohenour

As Dana Cohenour’s children’s music class let out, the smiles were in abundance. The students, about 4 to 5 years old, thanked their teacher and ran to their parents. Cohenour happily says goodbye to her students. “See you guys next…

Bellingham Escape Room Engages Minds

Rebecca Abdelbaki opened Bellingham Escape the first weekend of March with the hope of creating a space for friends, families, and co-workers to socialize while exercising their minds. Escape rooms are adventure games where a team of participants have a set time to “escape” a room by using elements and solving puzzles inside the…

Support When Your Teen Needs It

Oasis Daylight Center & Oasis Teen Shelter When asking for help is difficult, having a steadfast haven for teenagers to visit can be life-changing. “Every day at Oasis is supportive and affirming,” said Katie Lohman, the director of Oasis Daylight Center & Oasis Teen Shelter. Located in an unassuming home on a quiet Mount Vernon street, the Skagit Valley Family YMCA-operated house consists of two facilities: an after-school center called…

Overcoming Hearing Loss

50 Ways to be a Tourist in Your Own Town.

You don’t have to pack any bags or take vacation days. You might not even have to gas up the car. We’re talking about enjoying your hometown by stepping out as a tourist. Sure, we know you might cringe at the idea of being mistaken for a visitor when you already know where the best coffee shop is, can map the local trails from memory, and what breweries give your dog a bowl of…

Lynden Farmers Market

The Lynden market was originally founded in 2011 with the goal of supporting local artisans and farmers. It usually hosts around 20 vendors, but since vendors are not required to commit to an entire season, the market shifts each week….

When the Bells Stop Ringing

Fairhaven Wednesday Market

The Fairhaven market was created just a few years after the downtown Bellingham market and was soon brought under the same management umbrella. Now, visitors can find many of the same vendors found at the downtown market in the intimate atmosphere of the Village Green. Purposely timed for the lunch break, stop in for a well-earned lunch and…

Bellingham Downtown Market

When two Western Washington University students came together in the 1990s, they had no idea that their small idea of a market would sprout into one of the biggest farmers markets in the state. With the help of community member Del Lowry, the group worked together to bring vendors and farmers to the market. Opening day in June 1993 hosted almost 50 vendors,…

Anacortes Farmers Market

San Juan Island Farmers Market

Founded in 1987 by a group of island farmers who wanted a venue to sell their goods directly to the public, the mission of the San Juan Island Farmers Market has remained unchanged for 30 years: “Provide an outlet for agricultural products that are grown, harvested, or processed in San Juan County.” Today, vendors offer…

Lopez Island Farmers Market

The Lopez Island Farmers Market prides itself as being as local as possible. They adhere to a hierarchy of home-growing when picking vendors: first priority goes to Lopez Island-produced food and products, second to the San Juan Islands, then the state…

Orcas Island Farmers Market

It’s no surprise Orcas Island Farmers Market, like the Lopez Island and San Juan Island farmers markets, values locality. All the food and products are grown and made on Orcas Island. Being on a small island, the market is a big event for locals, offering an opportunity to shop, mingle, and take in the warm summer days. It’s akin to a…

A Beloved Bookstore Grows

Spotlight Film

Documentaries, directors in focus at Cascadia International Women’s film festival Since high school, Natalie Fedak has had stories she’s wanted to tell. She started off writing screenplays and for the last three years, she’s been producing, editing and directing documentaries. Now one of her documentaries is going to be shown…

Carving Beauty Out of The Ordinary

Tomas Vrba and the Tomas Vrba Studio Every day before he leaves his home in Everett, Tomas Vrba tells his two young children, “Daddy is going to play.” A professional large scale sculptor, Vrba makes his living carving tree stumps into things of beauty. He hopes his children follow their own dreams and realize…

Playing Around

Max Higbee Center helps disabled youth and adults recreate F or more than three decades, the Max Higbee Center has been committed to providing recreational services to developmentally disabled youth and adults. Western Washington University professor…

Crazy For Kombucha

Flavored, fermented tea is as popular as a home brew, too Kombucha has been everywhere lately, from lining the shelves at your local Fred Meyer, to the Culture Café at Kombucha Town opening in Bellingham’s own historic Herald Building. Haggen even offers kombucha growler fills for the trendy fermented tea. Making your own kombucha has become a popular hobby among people who’d…

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Sipping Chocolate Fits to a Tea

Evolve’s Chaicolate good for Easter, Mother’s Day The first rule of comparing sipping chocolate to hot chocolate is…don’t. “It’s incomparable to hot chocolate,” says chocolatier Shannon Fox, co-owner and co-founder of Evolve Chocolate in Bellingham. “It’s an actual preparation of a food product.” The biggest question we have of sipping chocolate, a fixture at European cafes but only a recent trend here, is…

Farmhouse Haven

As a vacation home for mostly weekend visits, this house not only looks but feels the part. Homeowners live about an hour away in Canada and say as soon as they walk in, they decompress. A water view, looking toward Point Roberts and White Rock, helps. With a farmhouse type design by Haven Design Workshop and touches like interior sliding barn doors, the home is functional and easy to maintain as the couple nears retirement. An expansive deck extends the…

Gooseberry Point

It started like so many remodeling projects do, with just a kitchen replacement. Then, like that piece of cake you keep evening out in the pan, it grew, morphing into a renovation of the entire house….

Shelter Bay

Simply Fabulous Greenfab Prefab

Greenfab is a Seattle-based developer of modern, sustainable, prefabricated homes. In 2010, it made news for installing Washington State’s first prefab, modular home to earn LEED Platinum certification. Since then, it has built affordable, energy efficient, and beautiful single and multifamily modular dwellings. It took less than six hours to install this 1700-square-foot home Greenfab completed in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. The home’s four modules, constructed in the company’s offsite production facility in Burlington, were delivered and then assembled atop…

Clean and Clear

Laundry Rooms are the Home’s Hidden Hub It’s the forgotten room of the house: the laundry room. At the bottom of creaky stairs in a spooky basement, part of the mudroom or tucked in a closet, it’s not…

Lake Samish Garden Remodel

While our Salish Sea coastline gets a lot of deserved attention here, our freshwater lakes are the jewels of Bellingham’s interior. Not only can the views be just as pretty, but playing in the water—warmer than the year-round frigidity of Bellingham Bay—is one of the best…

Eat, Drink & Entertain

Kitchen Renovation This 1960s-built home hadn’t had a remodel since the 80s, so it was ready for a facelift. My clients enjoy family, cooking, entertaining and sports—not necessarily in that order. During our first consult, we discussed their desire to redesign with some traditional aspects, but also contemporary flair. The biggest concern…

It’s in the Details

Repeal and Replace

Ken offers suggestions for Trumpcare Is it just me or does anyone else question whether the federal government is serious about health care, public safety, and balancing the budget? Ask any household on a budget—coping in a crisis requires creativity, penny-saving efficiency, and multi-tasking. I say to Mr. President and Congress, “Think like a mom, not politicians.” Moms squeeze more of the important…

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Spotlight Writer: Holly Barbo

We all have our ways of escape, whether it is in a guilt-inducing TV show, a long jog, or maybe a glass of wine. For artist and author Holly Barbo it is writing fantasy and thriller novels that keep her sane in what can seem, especially lately, like an upsidedown world. Her passion for writing started to pick up after the recession hit and the family furniture store fell on harder times. Becoming an author was never her plan, Barbo…

See Skagit Valley Painted Yellow

Staging a New Scene

Bellingham Theatre Guild The Bellingham Theatre Guild celebrated a scene change of sorts with a gala to mark the completion of its $1 million renovation in mid-January. The guild is entirely staffed by volunteers, many of whom gathered in the theatre lobby during the event to relish the improvements, which included a new entrance and ticket office, bathroom flooring, upgraded foundation, and an…

Delivering the Goods to Your Home

Wonder Woman – Barb Macklow

Bellingham’s Barb Macklow is not your average 82-year-old. She likes to go the distance. Macklow, a runner with a national reputation—she has been featured in Trail Runner and Runner’s World magazines—finished every race but one last year: a 100-miler. She ran 100 miles before, but in a different decade. In her 70s, Macklow ran both the Umstead Ultra 100 in…

Ten Good Places to Watch March Madness

Sure, you could watch the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments from the comfort of your own sofa, but what’s the fun in screaming your fool head off in a quiet house? Go find your tribe – or at least some good pub fare – as you…

Designing on the Human Scale

By age 10, Sharon Robinson already knew her career path. After discovering her mother’s Good Housekeeping magazines, she decided to design houses. She grew up in Akron, Ohio, earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural history from Syracuse University and later, her master’s in architecture from the University of Wisconsin. In 1991, after a friend told her about an opening at the architecture firm Zervas Group, Robinson applied and was hired. At 56, she is…

Waste Not Want Not – Gleaners Pantry

As the sun starts to return to our dark Fourth Corner, gardeners get busy planting and readying for their healthy crops. But sometimes those crops pop up a bit healthier than usual, or that plum tree produces kilo after kilo of fresh, amazing, and yet, very ripe plums, or the chard goes a bit wild. This over abundance is where Gleaners Pantry steps in. A…

Spotlight Artist: Katie Johnson

Katie Johnson did not plan on becoming an artist when she started at Western Washington University. Johnson’s work was featured last year in a show at Aslan Brewing Co., but she’s known mostly for the Brewdeck, a 60-piece set of cards featuring portraits of the luminaries of the Bellingham craft beer scene. The name Brewdeck is a…

Loretta’s Guide To Post-Divorce Dating

Getting Primed for Primer

There’s a certain decor that is typical of coffee shops in the Pacific Northwest. Usually, the lights are dim, the walls are dark, and the floors are creaky or bare, lending the shop a warm but subdued ambiance. Because…

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Neat Art, Niche Locale: The Allery

When Kat Houseman describes the Allery as off the beaten path, she means it. The art gallery is, as the name suggests, down an alley off of Magnolia, between Cornwall and Commercial. Just past the drive-thru exit of Peoples Bank, you’ll find the ornate sign that marks the entrance to the far-flung facility for fine arts. The gallery is owned by Houseman and her…

Wonder Woman–Mount Vernon Mayor Jill Boudreau

It’s hard to imagine a greater sorrow for a mayor than a public shooting. Mayor Jill Boudreau has weathered two major incidents—one in neighboring Burlington at Cascade Mall, and one on December 14 in her own town of Mount Vernon. Not only is there the worry for public safety, this one is personal—Mayor Boudreau…

Ways to Spend Time With Your Love This February

February is chock-full of events in our neck of the woods. They serve as a great opportunity for both familiar and new experiences. Take advantage of the fun and spend some extra time with your love…or best friends. 1. Chuckanut Bay Distillery hosts tours and complimentary tastings every…

Whatcom Senior Tour Program Cuba Trip

Since the recent expansion of legal travel to Cuba, Americans have become fascinated by the seemingly “frozen-in-time” island. Picturesque streets full of vibrantly painted buildings, classic cars, and friendly people provide quite the draw for travelers. When…

Wonder Women: Michele Kämmerer and Janis Walworth

Since March 2016, there has been a massive mobilization of both individuals and corporations speaking out against North Carolina’s now infamous House Bill 2. The outcry has been far-reaching and is evidence of a changing climate toward transgender individuals. When a transgender person walks out of the bathroom, their identity doesn’t go away. Transgender individuals still experience a number of challenges in a number of places. That includes the eight-plus hours…

Tech-Savvy Surgery Comes to Bellingham

The Bellingham medical community has something new and exciting to talk about — the da Vinci Surgical System. The robotic system is praised for its minimally invasive surgeries, which can make for quicker recovery times and easier healing….

Best Day Ever

Serial entrepreneur Anne-Marie Faiola is at it again. In addition to Bramble Berry, her soap-making supply company, Faiola has set to work on providing both mental and physical betterment through an extension of her Bramble Berry brand, called Best Day Ever. It all began with the people she worked with. Despite producing incredibly…

For Health’s Sake, Let Your Creativity Flow

What do you need to be healthy? Drink plenty of water, exercise, eat good food, what about painting or playing music? Numerous studies reveal a link between creativity and good health. It’s not even about producing a beautiful picture or writing an award winning story, merely the process of being creative helps individuals become less anxious, more resilient, and better problem-solvers, or as art therapist Jane Baron puts it, “The creative process is an…

A Reminder To Look For The Forest In The Trees

Ken rejoices in the sweet side of life’s randomness For the past few months, two beloved family members, my aunt and stepfather, have been in and out of the hospital. Both are terminally ill. In the next…

Sips to Your Health

If you haven’t stopped by Saku Tea at the Tide Lines Gallery yet, then make your way to the cozy tea bar. Husband and wife team, Kuros Zahedi and Sandra Loeffelmann, ensure patrons can choose from a wide selection of tea lattes, blends, pots, cups, and everything in-between. The duo has spent years traveling and sipping tea all over the world. They’ve perfected the brewing methods and timing for all…

2016: A Look Back

Spotlight: Misha Collins

For the past five years, the first week of August has meant more than another seven days of summer. For thousands of people around the world, August 1 commences the official beginning of the world’s largest scavenger hunt, also known as GISHWHES: The Greatest…

Growing Hope One Sprout at a Time

As of September 2014, there were about 2.7 million American veterans who fought in our recent conflicts. A study conducted by the RAND Corporation found at least 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. About 50% of these veterans don’t seek help. Emotional vulnerability, access to services, and other problems are barriers for veterans. In 2013, Chris Brown—a U.S. Marine veteran—sought…

Bellingham’s Newest Mystery

Two mysteries are brewing in the City of Subdued Excitement: on the corner of Magnolia and Cornwall, an underground resistance scrambles to find the name of the double agent working against it. Meanwhile, after…

Finding A Place

There’s something for everyone at The Comics Place. My Little Pony comics are interspersed with Mad Max and Marvel. Six shelves are dedicated to both tabletop and board games, and an island in the center of the entryway provides the familiar and cacophonous…

Wonder Woman – Cathy Watson

When Ferndale Councilwoman Cathy Watson was younger, she dreamed of becoming a science writer. After receiving her undergraduate degree in journalism from Ohio State, Watson joined the U.S. Coast Guard working as an electronics…

The Leap

Five Faves: Holiday Markets

The Lights of Christmas With more than one million lights on display, it is no wonder The Lights of Christmas is one of the most popular holiday festivals in the North End. Not only will you see more lights than you can imagine,…

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Community Effort, Community Hub: Stanwood – Camano YMCA

The driving motto behind the YMCA is “for youth development, for healthy living, for social responsibility.” You can hear this motto on every phone call and see it on every webpage. For residents of Stanwood, however, this is no empty tagline. These words mark a promise, kept and fulfilled by the YMCA…

McMenamins Anderson School Celebrates its One-Year Anniversary

When McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell opened one year ago, it earned bragging rights as the largest McMenamins property in Washington State. Known for its pubs, breweries, and historic hotels, McMenamins restores historic buildings—often working closely with…

Best of the Northwest 2016

The results are in! Our readers have voted on their favorite businesses, services, restaurants, stores, and spas from Blaine to Anacortes. Looking for the go-to places to get the perfect haircut or find the best dentist? Look no further. Winners announced here! Powered by Jasper Roberts – Blog

Bob Goodwin

The Steering Column – Rising to the Top: What You Shouldn’t Forget

AFTER 13 YEARS of growing a law practice dedicated to community leadership in legal care for DUI, Auto-Accident Claims, Speeding & Criminal Justice, I know very well that no one gets there alone or single handedly. There is an…

Wonder Woman – Germaine Kornegay

There are people who work in community service, volunteer for great causes, advocate for positive change, run for public office, win, and continue their good work toward making our world a better place. But not many of them do so as the only person of color in the room. Not many of them come away from all that fighting and advocating as absolute beacons of uplift. But Germaine Kornegay is. She is one of the…

The Accidental Bucketlist

Screen Fever in the San Juans

This Fall, the San Juan Islands will be the Northwest hot spot for film festivals. Orcas Island will host both the Orcas Island Film Festival October 7–10 and the one day Wild and Scenic Film Festival on November 12. Additionally, the Friday Harbor Film Festival on San Juan…

Inventive Startup: Slingshot NW

Today’s Thomas Edisons will find direction with the help of Northwest Innovation Resource Center’s new strategic partner, Slingshot NW, a marketing platform specifically designed for inventors. The company began in May 2016 with a goal to further the economic climate north of Seattle, said CEO Bryan Brown. Inventions and inventors are not limited to any particular…

A Hop and a Skip

Beer enthusiasts may know that Yakima is the home for hops in Washington State (well, in the world, really) but it’s also a fine place to relax for a weekend. These beer stops and shops will have you coming back…

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Figureheads and Flying Jibs–Tall Ships Visit Whatcom

The Grays Harbor Foundation shares its wealth with Whatcom every few years by sending us two beautiful tall ships—the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain. Both ships are majestic as they sail into our humble ports of Bellingham and Birch Bay, and both evoke a romantic and adventurous time when pirates and swabbies duked it out over a few barrels of rum in the hold. The…

Answer The Question, Please!

Ken taps his foot to the latest dance, the Trump-Clinton side-step. As a trial attorney, I have forced many unwilling adversaries to answer obvious, but difficult questions under oath. Admit it. You are jealous—don’t we all wish that we had the power to pop people’s balloons when their balloons deserve popping? I know—sounds fun, huh? Over the years, my…

Brewed in Snohomish County

Humans first brewed beer many thousands of years ago. More recently, the last decade has seen dozens of craft breweries open in Snohomish County. Eric Radovich, executive director of the Washington Beer Commission, said that statewide the rate of new brewery openings is approaching one per week. “It’s the craft beer revolution,” he said, “I don’t know how else to describe it. And we’re still…

Fall Arts Preview: Eight Great North End Events

1. A Spirit Unbound: The Art of Peggy Strong September 9–January 8 | Cascadia Art Museum EIGHTY YEARS AGO, Peggy Strong (1912–1956) first exhibited her artwork at the Seattle Art Museum’s (SAM) Northwest Annual. She was just twenty-four-years-old at the time and had recently survived an automobile accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Yet, despite her physical…

Bountiful Berries

If our area has a common signature in the summer, it’s a berry fingerprint. Everywhere you go, every time you enter a store or head out for the farmers market, bright, cheery, sweet berries are there to greet you. In this issue, we explore the farms and folks of our number one crop and dive into a little history. So grab a handful of berries and enjoy! Cloud Mountain Farm It seems a shame to call Cloud…

Wonder Woman – Sarri Gilman

Author. Marriage and family therapist. Nonprofit champion. Speaker. Teacher. Sarri Gilman’s passion for helping others has led her down countless paths she never predicted she’d take. Although she’s been a licensed family and marriage therapist for 30 years, the work wasn’t something she thought she’d spend her life doing. “I just had a natural curiosity about human behavior and families….

Welcome Aboard! Washington State Ferries

Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries. May I have your attention please? The familiar recording issues a pleasant greeting and several instructions as the engines throttle. The Kitsap pulls away from the ferry slip, our view of Anacortes fades into the mist, and we’re sailing west, bound for Lopez Island. Commuters sip coffee and read the day’s newspaper, a…

Edmonds Underwater Park’s Bruce Higgins

On a recent Saturday, Bruce Higgins organized a complex dive at the 27-acre Edmonds Underwater Park at Brackett’s Landing North, where he volunteers to build and maintain the underwater trail system. In 2007, the park’s trail system, which consists of a network of 2.5 miles of trails, was named for Higgins. Saturday’s dive consisted of Higgins and his team of volunteers relocating industrial tires from nearby Marina Beach…

Breathing New Life: 3 Oms Yoga Studio Expansion

Wild Whatcom Receives Grant

Wild Whatcom works to educate children about the natural world, to connect kids to the beauty of our surroundings, and to foster stewardship for future conservationists. What began as a few outings with a group of friends has grown into week-long camps and…

The Castle of the Strawberry Kingdom

It would be an exaggeration to say the humble strawberry built Orcas Island, but not much of one — ripe, sweet strawberries have been a huge part of Orcas Island’s history and culture for centuries. The current Strawberry Barreling Building…

The Steering Column: The Heart Of A Local Champion

There’s a new brand of legends racing to the top at the Deming Speedway this year. They aren’t just breaking track records; they are destroying the myths of self-entitlement and selfishness that too often slows down our youth. These young drivers are amp’d with the spirit of service that keeps…

Amazing Outdoor Adventures

The Pacific Northwest is a dreamscape for outdoor adventures, and Snohomish County is no exception. From the shores of Puget Sound to the craggy heights of the Cascades, the county includes one of the state’s five major stratovolcanoes, Glacier Peak, as well as four river systems — the Skykomish, Snohomish, Sauk, and Stillaguamish Rivers — which carve their courses from…

The Berry Menu – Delicious Recipes by Local Chefs

No matter how you slice it, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are among summer’s sweetest fruits, especially here in Snohomish County, where there are plentiful opportunities to visit u-pick farms…

Canada, Do The Right Thing!

Wonder Woman – Bonnie Hilory

The colossal proportions of Boeing’s Everett Production Facility, where Boeing 747, 777, and 787 Dreamliner jets are assembled, are the stuff of local legend. The largest manufacturing building in the world in terms of volume, it is also the only jumbo jetliner production facility open to the public in the United States, thanks to the Institute of Flight, which is the 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour in partnership…

Women of Washington Wine – Anne-Marie Hedges Hedges Estate Winery

As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of wine is becoming more inclusive. Washington wine pioneers…

Pam Kuntz

A short-haired woman stands in the middle of a large, empty room and stares at her reflection in a tall panel of mirrors that cover the wall from end to end. She begins to sway her long limbs gracefully in beat to her slowtempo counting. Other people are spending the day out basking in the abnormally warm weather,…

Wonder Woman

Morgan Paris Lanza, executive director for Bellingham Girls Rock camp, uses music as an avenue to bring young girls together and teach them a fundamental lesson: the practice of self love. Lanza has operated Bellingham Girls Rock camp…

A Home for the Arts

On April 1, the Sylvia Center for the Arts opened its doors to the community for the first time. Curious guests gathered in the upstairs room of the old Cascade Laundry building overlooking downtown through unfinished windows. Strings…

Women of Washington Wine – Kay Simon Chinook Wines

Women of Washington Wine – Sarah Hedges Goedhart Hedges Estate Winery

As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wineindustry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of wine is becoming more inclusive. Washington wine pioneers like Nina Buty, Mary Derby, Eve-Marie Gilla, and Kay Simon have personally witnessed the shift away from male-only wine events, vineyard management, and seminars. Join us in raising a glass to the women who prune, pick, crush, and bottle some of the best wines in…

Treks & Treats

Just when we thought we’d lose our collective minds, the summer arrived! Bold, sunny, beautiful weather fills up our weekends and beckons us off the couch and into the woods. We’ve selected a few family-friendly treks that are perfect for an afternoon of wheeling around, a picnic and day trip, or a full-on overnight experience. GRAB YOUR HELMET AND…

Women of Washington Wine – Jody Elsom Elsom Cellars

Jody Elsom grew up in Woodinville, but is quick to point out that at the time, Woodinville was not wine country at all. “It was farmland and horses.” Her interest in wine started when she took a job with a company based in Sonoma…

As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of wine is becoming more inclusive. Washington wine pioneers like Nina Buty, Mary Derby, Eve-Marie Gilla, and Kay Simon have personally witnessed the shift away from male-only wine events, vineyard management, and seminars. Join us in raising a glass…

Women of Washington Wine – Marie-Eve Gilla Forgeron Cellars

As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of wine is becoming more inclusive. Washington wine pioneers like Nina Buty,…

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Haunting Road Trips: Ghost Towns and Utopias

This time of year is perfect for charging or gassing up the car and taking a good old-fashioned road trip around the byways and scenic routes of our beautiful area. Among the whale-watching viewpoints and mountain vistas are little tiny…

Women of Washington Wine – Mary Derby DaMa Wines

As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of wine is becoming…

Community Leadership and the Spirit of Giving

BY ZIAD YOUSSEF MAKING A CHOICE: Whether it’s your neighborhood, your city, or your country, community leadership requires a community effort and it doesn’t just fall on the shoulders of one candidate, and it surely doesn’t end with one VOTE. Just as proper legal care shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of one lawyer, or one act of lawyering, the sustainable solution comes from a community effort between those in the dilemma and those who can…

The Brazilian

Loretta responds to Ken’s “The Full Monty” What was Ken smoking? Did you read his Final Word on the fragility of male egos? Issue that man a WUI, officer! Clearly he was writing under the influence of something or sucking up to females. If the difference between kissing behinds and brown-nosing is simply depth perception, Ken went deep to prove a point. Women, behold, some modern males are capable of taking the “hat” off and exposing themselves. No patronizing…

Once Upon the Water | Washington State Ferries

As long as people have lived in and around Puget Sound, the waterways and sounds that connect us have been busy with marine traffic. The relationship people have to the water here is inextricable. Before first contact, Native Americans navigated the straits and sounds of the…

Chuck Close Prints, Process, and Collaboration

May 12 – Sept 5 Experience world-renowned artist Chuck Close’s creative and technical processes firsthand as Everett’s Schack Art Center hosts “Chuck Close: Prints, Process, and Collaboration” in its main gallery. Nearly 90 large-scale prints and working proofs will demonstrate the artist’s groundbreaking innovations in printmaking mediums. Exhibition curator, Terrie Sultan, worked alongside Close to select the works that will be exhibited….

Welcome Aboard! | Washington State Ferries

Schooled in Fashion

You can hear the clicking of heels throughout Meadowdale Middle School hallways, and they aren’t your average heels. They are bright yellow, spiked high heels worn by intensive learning teacher Tamara Musser. Once you catch a glimpse of her, you may think she took a wrong…

Matika Wilbur

Matika Wilbur hit the road in November 2012. The photographer was on a mission: to make portraits of members from each of the federally-recognized tribes in the United States, which numbered 562 at the time. Inspired by a dream she had in the mountains of Peru and funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Wilbur inaugurated Project 562 by visiting 13 tribes in California. Since…

The Full Monty (Python)

I used to love being male. I didn’t need a great job; I just needed to be the primary breadwinner in the household and all the benefits of prior male-dominated generations were bestowed upon me. Pure magic, it was. As long as I brought home the financial bacon, not much else mattered. I could lose my hair, gain 50 lbs., shower occasionally, shave infrequently, and sit on the couch and…

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DIY Gurus of Youtube

I remember watching This Old House on lazy weekends, idly plucking at a bowl of popcorn while Bob Vila tears apart the plaster wall of a Victorian with glee. These days, homeowners get most of their renovation know­how in the great how­to library of YouTube. But not all home remodel videos are created equal—some of them are too complicated, some skip important steps, and some are just downright silly. But the best of them are so helpful, they deserve a special mention. One of the superstars of YouTube DIY is Matt Risinger of Austin, Texas. Now, not all of the advice he dispenses works in our cooler, wetter climate, but he does some beautiful work and explains it all very well. Another favorite is Craig Heffernan. Craig specializes in deck­building for beginners. More enthusiast than teacher, Kirsten Dirksen takes you through eco­houses and tiny houses loaded with features and information. She’s a great person to turn to for inspiration and ideas, Dirksen’s passion shines through. Going with a contractor is usually a good idea for most large remodel and construction projects. But if you feel like rolling up your sleeves and framing your own tiny house, these folks can help you get started. Or at least get you into enough trouble to keep it interesting. Links: Matt Risinger Craig Heffernan Kirsten Dirksen

Inspired and Inspiring : Dr. Elaine Scott

Here at North End Metro, we have sought to make women’s stories a regular part of our publication through our “Wonder Woman” column, which honors the achievements and contributions of women in leadership roles throughout Snohomish County. This issue…

Barn Raising

Dreaming of a new outbuilding for your property? Find inspiration in the gorgeous equestrian barns constructed by DC Builders in Snohomish County and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Stephanie Meyer is an equine veterinarian at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital. DC Builders constructed this classic gable-style custom horse barn in Snohomish for Meyer and her husband, Derek. The Meyers’ 36-foot horse…

Essential Connection

Checking email, looking up drug interactions, receiving photos of grandchildren, video conferencing with family, following up with doctors — digital technology is now so woven into our lives, we can’t imagine an hour, much less a whole day, without it. And yet there are so many seniors who have to live without access to the wealth of information and entertainment that…

The Steering Column – My Traffic Man

SIX DEGREES OF TROUBLE Part 2: How Big Is Your Problem? WRITTEN BY ZIAD YOUSSEF L ast time we identified that trouble is measured by how difficult it is to identify its source and how much impact it has on your…

Inspired and Inspiring : Inez Bill

Here at North End Metro, we have sought to make women’s stories a regular part of our publication through our “Wonder Woman” column, which honors the achievements and contributions of women in leadership roles throughout Snohomish County. This issue we are pleased to expand that column into a special feature article, which highlights the…

Inspired and Inspiring : Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory

Here at North End Metro, we have sought to make women’s stories a regular part of our publication through our “Wonder Woman” column, which honors the achievements and contributions of women in leadership roles throughout Snohomish County. This issue we are pleased to expand that…

Cascadia Art Museum presents “Looking Back, Moving Forward”

The Cascadia Art Museum pays tribute to Nellie Cornish and the Cornish College of the Arts, a school whose international legacy spans both visual and performing arts. Produced in partnership with Cornish, the exhibit draws upon the college’s collection, as well as from private collections such as the estate of Mary Ann…

Framing Issues | The Photography of Paul Anderson

Every political movement needs a frame, an iconic image, a visual depiction of what threats exist and what is to be saved. Paul Anderson’s photographs are exactly those images — visual reminders of what is at stake for our environment, and why he seeks to protect it. Paul also photographs the Native Americans who are caught in the battle between economic development and the preservation of tribal lands. One of…

Household Know-How

Leavenworth, WA l Extraordinary Escape

Leavenworth is Washington State’s very own Bavarian Village. Here, it’s easy to find German beer and sausage, as well as Christmas charm with the year-round Kris Kringl store. “If you are looking for a quiet romantic experience, like staying at a European-style bed-and-breakfast with wine tasting, we can accommodate that.

WONDER WOMAN – Susie Purves

” It takes energy, drive, and determination to run an arts nonprofit, but Purves is clearly up to the task. When asked what her day-to-day schedule is like, she laughed. “I allow the staff to do their jobs. I’m the shepherd.”

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – Extraordinary Escapes

The summer is the peak season for visiting Coeur d’Alene and there are many fun family events including a classic car show, arts and crafts festival, farmers markets and outdoor concerts. Look forward to the Taste of Coeur d’Alene, the Street Fair, and Art on the Green at the end of July.

Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress

The Steering Column

To really understand the 6 Degrees of Trouble we explore
the nature of problems in general; or, at least, the difference
between small problems and large problems, and the difference
between those that have little impact and those that have
a large impact.

The work of Aaron Loveitt

The single most important thing to understand about Aaron Loveitt’s work is that when you encounter a piece, whether it’s a railing or a public sculpture, it was designed and created for that specific space.

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Edmonds: The Heart of the Arts

The inspiring landscape, supportive community, and rich artistic history create a lure that draws artists and art enthusiasts to Edmonds. “There’s a power and a presence about being in Edmonds,” said Elizabeth Martin-Calder, interim executive director of Cascadia Art Museum. Since its beginning, the community has supported and encouraged the arts. “If you go way back things sort of started with some of the social…

Cascadia Art Museum

Hummingbirds flit about on bright orange flowers blooming in front of the newly opened Cascadia Art Museum, located in the just renovated mid-century Salish Crossing building near the Edmonds waterfront. What lies inside this reinvigorated icon, which was formerly the Waterfront Antique Store and before that a Safeway, is nothing short of stunning. Lindsey Echelbarger, the museum’s founder and president, worked with his wife, Carolyn Echelbarger, to…

Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center

Judith and Daniel Caldwell’s Delightful Public Art

From grand public displays like Blue Sky Baskets in White Center to tucked away corners like the humble embeddings of Paw Prints in the downtown Seattle REI to bronze masterpieces on school campuses, the Caldwells help shape and artistically humanize our Northwest landscape.

Snohomish County’s First TEDx Event

Twenty-three speakers participated in the daylong event at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. It was the first independently organized TEDx event of its kind, unlike the more than 10,000 TEDx events that have been held in communities worldwide since 2009.

Women Painters of Washington

Six founders started WPW in 1930 in order to bring together extraordinary women painters from across the state to encourage, engage, and foster artistic growth, as well as help these painters overcome hurdles not faced by their fellow male colleagues.

Legal Care: Turning the law into a language people can understand

It’s a new year, and it’s time for a new way to think of law. Pop culture portrays great lawyers as an all knowing, strategic creatures capable of destroying insurmountable challenges with nothing short of relentless logic and legal acumen. These mere humans transform into sharks, wolves and other predators that the average…

The Road to Recovery, A Reason to Rise

The day that Jackie found out she was pregnant, her world came into focus. She was 21, homeless, and seeing a man who was being tormented by his own demons. Jackie had seen her own recreational drug use begin to spiral out of control, shifting…

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A Bold New Vision

When traveling between Seattle and Vancouver, Bellingham tends to be the place to stop on the way. We’re striving to be a place that travelers don’t just pass through, but decide to stay and visit for a weekend. The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is one of the leading forces making downtown a place for economic and cultural growth, as well as a magnet for visitors. DBP is a nonprofit…

Sculpture Northwest Opens Gallery

It could be a misnomer to call Sculpture Northwest a sculpture gallery. Yes, they certainly have one in downtown Bellingham on Prospect Avenue, but they are more than that. Under the leadership of George Drake and Deanna Lane — with significant energy and time from a dedicated board— Sculpture Northwest is a hub, a resource center, a community asset unique to our area. “We are the…

The Whale Trail

It began in 2008 with a lost Orca named Springer. Separated from her pod, Springer was starving and swimming close to shore. A group, led by Donna Sandstrom, came together to reunite Springer with her pod, and that effort…

Gear Gone Wrong

Gear. It’s where a lot of great hikes and camping trips begin. Laying out the bags to fluff in the sun, trips to the camping store for more stove fuel, gathering up the sleeping pads and tucking them into tight rolls—all camping begins with gear. Even a simple day hike requires water, snacks, good shoes, lightweight clothing, hats, sunscreen, and more. So while…

Best of the Northwest 2015

The results are in! Our readers have voted on their favorite businesses, services, restaurants, stores, spas and more, from Blaine to Anacortes. Looking for the go-to places to get the perfect haircut or find the best dentist? Look no further. Arts & Entertainment BEST CASINO- Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa Silver: Skagit Valley Casino Bronze: Swinomish Casino and Lodge From casual to fine dining,…

The Beautiful Lakedale Resort

Relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy the peace and beauty of Lakedale Resort, a woodland getaway just a short drive from the ferry landing at Friday Harbor. There are so many options of accommodations, so you can tailor your stay to be as outdoorsy—or as pampered—as you want. The hotel is a beautiful timber frame building with an elegant great room, a cozy fireplace,…

Project Homeless Connect

On July 9, volunteers lined up for Project Homeless Connect, a program in which attendees provide free services to almost 1,000 community members. The recipients received a hot meal, medical care, dental care, child support services, information about Social Security eligibility, and other necessary…

The Increasingly Popular, Himalayan Dog Chews

What started as a test-the-waters product at a small Bellingham, Washington dog show fair can now be bought at more than 5000 pet product retailers. Friends and Nepali natives Suman Shrestha and Nishes Shrestha founded the Himalayan Corporation when they discovered how much dogs love munching on the traditional hard Nepali yak cheese, chhurpi. Despite a dog’s obsession with the taste, cheese isn’t normally good for…

The Bravo 369 Flight Foundation

If your children grow up studying the dramatic U.S.-led mission to deliver planes to Russia through Alaska, you’ll have Whatcom residents Craig Lang and Jeff Geer to thank. In her remarks giving the Bravo…

Underwater Artists

Sun Valley

Take a ten-hour drive southeast—or a twohour flight—and you’ll find yourself at the famed ski destination, Sun Valley, Idaho. Often thought of as a snowy playground for the elite, Sun Valley is actually a welcome vacation area that caters to many types of budgets and activities. In fact, with its spectacular scenery, abundant trails, appealing shops, excellent food and close proximity to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, it’s a hub for spring, summer, and fall outdoor activities as…

Five Faves: Native Blooms

Comfort Foods

When I think of food, I think of the various elegant, modern food photographs I see on Instagram, Twitter and other social media sites. Or I think of the carefully plated dishes we make at the restaurant. I get an image of a bright garden fresh beet on a…

Old School Trailer Works

What’s old is new again in entertaining, and the new interest in vintage culture brings with it the welcome return of the Airstream. With four businesses under her belt, Angi Soulier is a driven entrepreneur when it comes to pursuing new…

Wonder Woman: Jenni Cottrell

Jenni Cottrell believes in pooling resources and bringing together a community around the beauty and power of art. To illustrate this point, she tells a story about when she was with a friend at an auction in Alaska they saw a painting they loved. The auction was to benefit the town’s new public library, and Cottrell really wanted to see that painting in the new library….

Cleavage Etiquette

Hi there. As a single mother of two pre-school kids, I feel compelled to offer some good natured, but badly needed male guidance in my first ever Final Word. But first I want to thank the magazine, and Ken, for sharing his personal space at the back of each issue with a female. I would say that I have big shoes to…

Wonder Woman: Zsofia Pasztor

Zsofia Pasztor is a busy woman. She is a parent of four, part-time instructor, business owner of Innovative Landscape Technologies, and creator of the successful Farmer Frog Model. Her passions are horticulture and education—two things that took on a…

Leadership Snohomish County Program

The Leadership Snohomish County Program has a mission—to develop leaders for a lifetime. Geared toward anyone seeking to build and expand their leadership skills, Leadership Snohomish educates people of all ages for a bright future.

Garden Guru: Ciscoe Morris

North End Metro caught up with Ciscoe Morris on a chilly Christmas Eve morning. For those rare few who don’t know him, Ciscoe is a local gardening personality well on his way into the annals of Seattle history. His presence immediately warmed the coffee shop, his laugh is head-turning and infectious. He lives up to…

Dr. Mitchell Kahn and the Skagit Opera

Dr. Mitchell Kahn and the Skagit Opera In January, the Skagit Opera performed at Lairmont Manor in Bellingham for the first time. One of the missions of the Skagit Opera, which has been in operation since 2003, is…

San Juan Islands Art Museum

Past the ferry landing at Friday Harbor, past the outdoor sculptures and the galleries, past the collage of nature and architecture, is IMA—the first fine art museum on the San Juan Islands. But that’s not the only reason why IMA is turning heads. “The design looks like it belongs in a big city,” said one local resident. Exactly the point, said the team of staff and artists behind IMA.

Wonder Woman: Rose Lathrop

Passionate, community-minded and up for a challenge, Huxley graduate Rose Lathrop has dedicated her career to sustainable planning and design. A former employee at Aiki Homes, which specializes in sustainable, green and co-housing development, Lathrop made a change in 2012 and became the Green Building and Smart Growth program manager at Sustainable Connections. She is also the executive director of the Northwest Washington Chapter of the…

Recycled Art

The impulse to restore old furniture, to find value in the discarded, to resurrect the rusted out, to elevate trash into functionality, maybe even art—is a passionate one. In the old days, the dumpster-divers and junk men were seen as goofy guys in crumbling trucks, typified by Fred Sanford on the hit TV show Sanford and Son.

Forgiving the Unforgiven

As a young boy, age 5 or 6, I used to play in the local woods where the soil was mostly clay and the clay would stick to my PF Flyers — the farther that I walked, the longer that I played, the heavier the build-up of clay. Eventually, the burden became more work than joy and I would head home. I was literally an inch or two…

Garth Stein

Trailblazers

Celebrating the Women of Boeing Be ready. And always have your shoes on. That’s how Nelda Lee, the first female pilot to fly an F-15 Eagle, explained the success of her 35-year long career in aviation. A spellbound crowd gathered…

Coastal Encounters

Whistler Winter Wonderland

With an annual average snowfall of more than 35 feet, Whistler Blackcomb is famous for the soft powder on its Whistler Winter Wonderland slopes. Advanced skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of places to play, including heli-skiing packages. Beginners are best starting out at Blackcomb Base, Whistler Village and Whistler Creekside and gradually working their way up to the more advanced slopes.

Wonder Woman: Molly Helmuth

Snohomish Makes a Splash

The new aquatic center in Snohomish is making a splash. The fully equipped facility has something for everyone. More advanced swimmers can take advantage of the 10-lane lap pool set a comfortable 78-80˚F with two 1-meter diving boards, while kids can play in the variety of pool attractions. The recreational pool is set at at a higher 84-86°F and includes a 3-lane lap pool, different depth pools for varied swimming abilities, and a warm water pool, which is set…

Low-impact Exercise, High-impact Returns

You haven’t been to the gym in ages. You’re busy, you’re tired, and you have endless work, family and social obligations. You know you need to exercise, but who’s got the time and money to invest in a proper program? The American Heart Association recommends that individuals do moderate…

Bothell’s New Village

Among The Village’s shopping and dining options, which include a Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and Massage Green Spa, will be local chef John Howie’s newest restaurant, The Beardslee Alehouse and Wildwood Distillery.

Husbandcare.gov

Ken’s Valentine’s Day gift for the woman who has everything I am a social scientist at heart. As with most males, I am genetically engineered to offer solutions to life’s challenges, even gender-related relationship problems — and even if the answer may come at my expense. I can’t help myself. I am stupid smart. My social laboratory of late has been the “women behind the magazine” at Bellingham Alive. I…

Yakima Wine Country: Endless Possibilities

Beneath a brilliant blue sky, an emerald valley of farms, vineyards and orchards rolls out to the horizon of amber hills. At a glance, it could be Napa, Burgundy or Chianti — but it’s not. Only a few hours from Bellingham, this gem is the unassuming Yakima Valley wine country. Without the crowds or mark-ups of more famous wine regions, nor the expense…

Poet de la Paz

For many students at Western Washington University, Professor Oliver de la Paz is the amiable and quirky character often seen walking the halls of Humanities building, bobbing his head to his tunes, his large,…

Always on Duty

DANIEL HOWARD Daniel Howard was on his way home after spending time in Oregon last May. He had been in Oregon recovering from an injury he sustained while working for the fire department. Near Tacoma, Howard saw a white car cross several lanes of traffic in front of…

George Dyson’s Answer

Every year, Edge.org asks its gigantic constellation of thinkers, intellectuals, scientists and world thought-leaders — among them Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, Jared Diamond, Rebecca Goldstein and many others — a question and publishes their answers. Bellingham’s own George Dyson is an annual participant in the…

Uptown Art Studio

With a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of wine in another, Uptown Art makes creating your latest masterpiece more fun and more social than ever. Newly opened in December near the Bellwether Hotel, the spacious art gallery offers a display…

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Getting Clean for Spring

Ahh, it’s almost spring in the Northwest! The birds will fly north and begin singing again, the rain will subside and you will once again see the faint glimmer of sunshine through the branches of those soon-to-be-budding trees. There are already little signs of hope in your…

Senior Citizens United

Ken pays respect to his elders I have your backs, seniors—and your backsides, open medical gowns and all. So what if you unintentionally embarrass your kids by posting private comments about their childhood to their public Facebook wall? At least you figured out how to log on. It’s the thought…

Spring Arrives: Container Gardens for Inspiration

The sun is starting to peek through some of our winter gloom, and springtime is upon us. We called upon the plant experts at Garden Spot Nursery on Alabama St. and Kent’s Garden and Nursery on Northwest Ave. to create beautiful container gardens that harness the hope and beauty of early spring. Hellebores, narcissus and primroses in the floral display complement the earthier huckleberry and Oregon grape in the native planting. We’re pleased to bring you…

Senior All-Stars: Volunteers Who Shine

ADRIENNE LEDERER Neighborhood and Parks Activist Energetic, warm, outspoken Adrienne came into volunteerism through a political campaign in 1996, but it was through a notice in the paper about the Guide Meridian-Cordata Neighborhood that she found herself truly engaged. She joined her neighborhood association and found her niche. Bellingham’s growth on the north end of the city didn’t include a plan for parks. And with all of the…

Engaging Communities

Retirement Communities That Offer Amenities: When we think of retirement communities, we generally think of endless games of bingo and terrible food. Fortunately, we have retirement communities in our area that offer amenities beyond television reruns…

The Rise of the Village Movement

Staying Engaged: Senior Living

Welcome to the new era of retirement, in which retirees teach part-time, volunteer for nonprofits, mentor young people, doorbell for candidates, organize neighborhood potlucks and run 5Ks. Voted Best Place to Retire many times over by many national publications, Bellingham seems to embody this new feisty spirit of retirement….

Five Faves: Brunch

Homeskillet BELLINGHAM With each pop of a champagne cork, the entire staff yells “opa!” and you know it’s on. Skillets are delicious, but don’t overlook the pancakes and Cinnamon swirl French toast. For serious appetites, the biscuits and gravy are the real deal. homeskilletinsunnyland.com Copper Hog BELLINGHAM Whether you’re hankering for the traditional eggs benedict or you…

Tyree Callahan

Tyree Callahan is probably best known worldwide for his conceptual art piece Chromatic Typewriter, a 1937 Underwood typewriter that has color keys rather than letters. Small paint-laden sponges sit poised to create one of Tyree’s landscapes, a canvas of which is unscrolling from the carriage as if typed into being. Chromatic Typewriter won international acclaim and was the runner-up in the…

Tide Lines Gallery

Nestled in the Alley District is a boutique gallery filled with handcrafted treasures waiting to be discovered. While the mosaic tiled flooring may draw you into Tide Lines, it’s the artwork that keeps you there. And if the art around the room isn’t enticing enough, artist and owner Chelsea Jepson’s workspace behind the counter offers you a chance to see the masterpieces being…

Stopping a Brutal Assault: Sherry and Marlene Rials

Sherry and Marlene Rials were driving down Douglas Rd. toward Grant’s Burgers in Ferndale when they encountered a sight they will not likely forget: In the middle of an intersection, three teenagers were assaulting a young boy. “He looked like about 12 years old, his feet weren’t on the ground, they were throwing him around,” Marlene said. Sherry had her phone out ready to call the police,…

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Wonder Woman: Mayor Kelli Linville

When she turns her attention toward you as you speak, you know that Mayor Kelli Linville is listening. Not just putting on the appearance of listening, but taking in your words and considering them. Sometimes she responds right away, but typically she takes your words into consideration, thinks about them, and then meets with you at a later time to talk about your thoughts and concerns….

Robyn Smith

Everett Film Festival

Now in its 18th year, the Everett Film Festival was started by six enterprising women. Originally known as the Everett Women’s Film Festival, the festival was created to highlight the work of women in film production. For years, the film festival has featured animated shorts, documentaries and feature films written, directed and produced by…

Opus Performing Arts School

A New Kind of Studio When a small group of local parents decided they wanted something more from the offerings of performing arts education in Bellingham, they didn’t just sit back and wait for the perfect studio to drop into their laps. They created their own….

Assembling Your Bucket List

What’s On Your List? Bucket Lists have made a huge surge in our culture — and somehow it sounds far more appealing than “my list of things to do before I expire.” In fact, you can even create small lists, such as a Bucket List for your 20s, 30s, or a Bucket List before you get married and have kids. The idea is to look at the…

Silvertips

It’s true, Washington State is not Minnesota or Canada, but we’ve always had a solid history when it comes to hockey. The Lynnwood Ice Center has been around for awhile teaching the smaller set the fundamentals of the sport….

Five Faves: Happy Hour

Loft at Latitude Forty Eight Five BELLINGHAM On a warm day, the bay doors open and sea breezes waft over the tables. The Loft is a nice place to meet some friends for great late-afternoon specials. Entrée-sized portions for $5? Heck yeah! Generous pours of wine or beer for $3. Hearthfire Grill BELLINGHAM…

Corner of Inspiration: Doe Bay

Hugging the tip of Orcas Island, Doe Bay is a quiet place. The center includes houses, cabins, yurts, a hostel, campsites and a lodge. Offering Vinyasa Power yoga, Nidra and Hatha yoga classes, Doe Bay is a perfect place to pack up your mat and get away. The café serves healthy, delicious food to fuel your asanas. Owners, Joe and Maureen Botherton are welcoming and friendly….

Wheels on Fire – Robin Robertson

Robin Robertson of the Bellingham Tennis Club laughed as she said, “Owning a tennis club was never on my list of things to do. I was in environmental science. I’m a Huxley grad.” So how did an environmental science professional with a background in waste reduction and environmental consulting end up the Tennis Queen of Bellingham? “I was always active. I was a runner and downhill skier. I…

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Aimee Frazier

It starts with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Aimee Frazier opens the door to her deck and walks out into the wilderness. This is her place. She loves the outdoors, and has dedicated her life to encourage the same sense of wonder and curiosity in others.

The Whatcom Dream

Hope- The Emotional God Particle

I am in mourning. My comic idol is Robin Williams. The tragic loss of Robin should be a dark reminder — the will to live comes from within, even for the most talented amongst us. He had everything and yet he had nothing in his eyes, at least not enough to…

Best Of The Northwest 2014

Art through the Senses

SIGHT Visual art in our area is so abundant. Some say it’s the light, some say the views, some say it’s the calm, easygoing lifestyle. For whatever reason, our corner of the Northwest has become a gathering place for visual artists. We celebrate the filmmakers, painters, dancers, photographers and sculptors who work so hard for so little…

Beach Walks and Breezes- Lummi Island Getaway

Quiet and unassuming, Lummi Island isn’t as showy and flashy as some of the other islands in the San Juans, but it has a lot to offer the weekender. The island is named for the nearby Lummi tribe, who called it Skallaham. Today, artists, retirees and young families make up the permanent population, and vacationers swell the ranks in the summer months. In winter, Lummi is a quiet retreat. Getting there From I-5 take Slater Road to…

Rosalinda Guillen

As Rosalinda Guillen talks about Community to Community — the organization she started to spread awareness and bring social justice to farmworkers in the community — she sits beneath two distinctive pictures. One is of her inspiration, civil rights activist and co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, Caesar Chavez. The other…

Bellingham Tap Trail

Hold on Bellinghamsters, an entirely new way to enjoy beer is a-brewing. Those who thought they knew their way around Bellingham’s beer scene will have to start with a blank slate. From Boundary Bay to Chuckanut Brewery, four Bellingham residents have created the Bellingham Tap Trail — a beer map — as a way for beer-lovers everywhere to navigate the breweries of Bellingham. Shannon Larkin, Mindy Overlin, Scott Pelton and Brian Seales created Bellingham Tap Trail (BTT) as a part of Taps, Caps and…

ARTspot

ARTspot encourages bravery, and tries to make art accessible to everyone. It’s a place that gives you the permission to explore and play, and their mission is to bring high quality materials to artists of all levels — even beginners. Owner Tracy Felix…

Edmonds Art Studio Tour

Have you ever wanted to see inside an artist’s process — their studio, tools and techniques? Each September, Edmonds hosts a studio tour that focuses on the artists in the city. It showcases how art is created, the motivation behind it and gives you the chance to find new art to grace your home. Now in its ninth year, the media represented are vast. There are 23 studios and 42 artists featured in this year’s…

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Discovering our Fall Leaves

Some say summer is what keeps them living in Western Washington, while others are diehard fall fans. It’s true, New England is featured across the nation as the place to view fall color, but here in the Northwest…

Judy Tuohy

If anyone knows the power of hard work and perseverance, it’s Judy Tuohy. As the director of the Schack Art Center in Everett, Tuohy helps run the non-profit organization that educates and showcases art in the Everett community. But Tuohy doesn’t — and hasn’t — stopped there. She is also running for Everett city council. Tuohy became involved last fall when a…

P=mc2: Ken takes Albert Einstein behind the woodshed

Scientists need to take a chill pill, starting with Albert Einstein. His idea of a good time on a Friday night was to measure the speed of most everything in the physical world — sound, light, and my personal favorite, light in a vacuum. Really, Albert? I bet you didn’t date much. And your theories of relativity, including E=mc2? Way too complicated — try the old…

Five Faves: Summer Fairs

VANCOUVER PNE VANCOUVER AUGUST 16–SEPTEMBER 1 The PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) has been in operation for 101 years, and draws 900,000 visitors during its 17 days. Loaded with cultural demonstrations, performances, rides, fair food and more, the PNE is nonstop fun. Just remember…

Max Kaiser and Hand Crank Films

Faye Whitney – Hero

On August 20, 2013 a lifechanging event occurred for dispatcher and supervisor Faye Whitney. With twenty seven years of experience working as a dispatcher, she knows how to handle a crisis. Given her supervisory role, she has mandatory CPR certification, and she is…

The Ghosts of Tonkin

Bellwether Market

The Bellwether peninsula now offers visitors, local employees and boaters a one-stop-shop where they can buy anything from chips, candy, coffee, or cigarettes to craft beer and wine. Bellwether Market is a new upscale convenience market that opened in May this year and is located at 6 Bellwether Way. Owner Ann McEvoy said the store even provides customers with lunch options, including sandwiches and salads from Avenue Bread. There is a charming sitting area…

The Workspace

Surviving Menopause- Ken puts his life at risk

The signs were subtle at first — a wide-open window during a cold snap in January and the perpetual running of Sleepless in Seattle on the Hallmark channel. In hindsight, it is now clear. But at the time, I was simply oblivious….

Farm to Table

We are so fortunate for our beautiful, local farms. They feed us with fresh produce — mounds of ripe berries, piles of thick, rich greens, barrels of crisp, sweet apples — and they protect our rolling hills and rural character. Not only do our farmers work hard to grow all this amazing food, they offer their bounty in our…

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Summer Fun Guide

Olaf — the lovable snowman in Disney’s Frozen — sings about his affection for summer “Bees will buzz, and kids will blow dandelion fuzz…in summer!” But parents and grandparents aren’t always as thrilled with the extra hours of bored little ones tugging at them for something to do….

Granville Island

Starting out as an unpromising little sandbar, Granville Island now shines as an example of what a community with chutzpah and vision can achieve in a couple of decades. Vancouver, B.C.’s original name…

PeaceHealth Foundation Hosts Circle of Care Gala

On June 7th, the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Foundation will celebrate the community’s generosity, spirit and leadership at its bi-annual black-tie gala. PeaceHealth takes great pride in its service and commitment to the people of Whatcom County and beyond, but the not-for-profit doesn’t act…

The Frigid Water Rescue- Rhonda Lasley

Officer Rhonda Lasley had been on the Sedro-Woolley police force for a month when she and civilian Nicole Vojkovich received a call from the Skagit sheriff’s office about an overturned boat at Dead Man’s Island. Prior to this, Rhonda had been employed for fourteen years by Skagit County Sheriff’s Office as a commissioned deputy where she received boating training that included water rescue, so she was the right person for the job. Nicole met…

The Woods Coffee – They’re Doing It All

Cirque de Bellingham

It’s that time of the year again. The Bellingham Circus Guild is back in action. If you have never heard of this event, it’s a collection of professional and hobby circus artists performing as aerialists, stilters, clowns, myth makers, jugglers, acrobats, theatricalists and so much more. Their routines are based on European performance techniques and vintage circus performances. Think Cirque de Soliel meets…

Holiday Entertaining – 7 Stress-Less Tips

I love to entertain. In fact, I do it for a living, which means I also understand the stress entertaining at home can bring. But you can throw a party sans the stress. Here are some of my tips to have a fabulous event and entertain with style: 1: Be Yourself. This is the most critical rule you should follow! If you prefer beer and nachos…

Best of the Northwest 2013

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BEST CASINO Silver Reef Silver: Skagit Valley Casino Bronze: Swinomish If you combine excellent food, great gaming, live national events and a full-service, first-rate spa, you have the makings of a great weekend away that’s right around the corner. 4876 Red River Pedestrian Path, Ferndale, 360.383.0777 BEST LIVE…

45 Things To Love About Winter

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WWU Planetarium Manager Lands NASA Gig

WWU Planetarium manager Brad Snowder got a first-hand look at the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover this summer after being selected by NASA to help promote the mission and landing of the rover as it reached Mars.

Diving In The Pacific Northwest

Harvest Touring: Farm to Fork

From vegetables and cheese to milk, grass-fed beef, chicken, pork or wine, families are encouraged to see another side of Whatcom County – where the locally grown food is brought to life … and to local plates and palettes.

Sleeping Lady Resort

Quick Trip: Leavenworth

Living Green – Plug Into The Electric Highway

New charging stations include three in Whatcom, Skagit counties… Lines of electric cars decorated the parking lot of Bellingham’s Sehome Village one morning in late May. Excited electric car owners and supporters hovered under…